Multiple-screw fuse plug



NOV. 18, 1930. w J, LUSE 1,781,786

MULTIPLE SCREW FUSE PLUG Filed April 2, 1926 J- VNIEN mi Cru Patented Nov. 18, 1930 ?ATENT OFCE WILLAIVI J. L'SE, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

MULTIPLE-SCREW FUSE PLUG Application led April 2, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in electrica-l 'fuses and more particularly to Yfuse plugs, and has for its object to provide a simple, etlicient, inexpensive device of this character that is constructed to have a longer lite, greater utility tor emergency purposes, and less embarrassing to 'fuse plug operators than other types of fuse plugs.

It is a matter of daily occurrence in all quarters having electrical devices, appliances and ittings and consuming electrical current, for people concerned with the operation thereof to experience embarrassment and handicap due to the short-circuiting ot the electrical circuit, or the disruption of the same circuit. A convenient means in which attention is directed to such electrical circuit disturbances, and at the same time in which to prevent over burdening said circuit with n heavy duty is by means of fuse plugs screwing into the customary sockets. The blowing of a fuse in any circuit results in the lights going out, or in a cessation of opera tion of an electrical device whose current supply is stopped by this fuse blowout.

My invention relates to the type ot' 'fuse plugs known as the screw fuse plugs which are standard littings. When fuses ot this type blow out, many persons fail to locate this as the source ot' power depletion, and look to other causes, and sometimes call in electrical service men to look into the source of trouble. Even those ywho are conversant with fuse plug functioning, in cases of emergency must remind themselves to leep in reserve a supply of extra fuse plugs, so that when some blow out they can be replaced. Often at night, Sundays and during holidays fuses blow out, and there is none in reserve, nor can extra or additional fuse plugs he purchased; in this event a great source ot nuisance exists that cannot be quickly remedied.

One of the objects ot the present invention is to provide a multiple fuse plug having in* terchangeably serviceable fuse ends either of which may be reversed to provide an emergency fuse. In carrying out this purpose I provide an economical, simple, tool-proof construction ot double fuse plug, devoid ot Serial No. 99,224.

intricate parts, free from short-circuiting connections, having no parts that get out of order, and designed to save expense in fuse plug maintenance.

Another object ot my invention is to provide a two tuse point single plug easy to manipulate by those uninitiated as well as initiated in electrical work and trouble detection,-a double tuse plug always ready to provide a permanently associated emergency fuse plug, simply by reversing the plug and screwing the other end into the tuse box.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a unitary two point fuse plug wherein use may be made ot two identically constructed fuse plugs, joined together and united permanently in a manner not to allow the separation of the two plugs, so that a single, homogeneous, continuous i'use plug is provided. 0

Another object of the present invention is to save perplexing situations as where it becomes necessary in the dark, because a tus-e blew out, to locate the particular fuse in question in order to replace this with a good fuse. 7D My multiple tuse screw plug, may be screwed into a fuse box from either end, and instantly restores a disrupted circuit. Therefore in testing fuses to locate the bad one time and worry is saved in the act ot unscrewing one end ot my new plug, turning it around and screwing the other fuse end into fuse box; it the light is restored it shows that the fuse just changed to outside projecting position relatively to fuse box is the bad one and the new fuse end is the good one. therwise the trouble is with another and different fuse in the same line.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view my invention consists in the combination, arrangement and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specifications and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts thruout the respective views,

Figure l is a plan view of one form of my multiple fuse plug, V

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section thereof, 10G

Figure 3 is an end view of one section of a tWo-section fuse plug, showing a binding member inserted thereinto,

Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3 With the binding member removed,

Figure 5 is a perspective vievv of a binder member,

Figure 6 is a perspective View of another form of binder member,

Figure 7 4is a ragmental detail view of tivo plug sections connected by a binder member,

Figure 8 is a longitudinal view of another form or" multiple fuse plug,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a closure for my novel plug, and

Figure l0 shows a modified form of the struct-ure illustrated in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings which merely illustrate the best forms of my invention now known to me, l show the various parts of my invention. ln carrying out my invention l aim to provide means mounted internally of two similarly shaped screw threaded fuse plugs or fuse plug sections l0 and l1, and interloclring the same against accidental separation orA displacement. l also provide a nonconducting member or means having `a press lit with the open end of'each plug section 10- A A D and ll and carrying means so engaging these sections as not onlv to cause their confronting edges to contact, but enabling one fuse plug to rotate in unison With the other fuse plug, to avoid one fuse plug becoming released from the other as the innermost plug is screvved into. or out oi' the fuse box.`

I talre the two similarly sized, shaped and constructed scren7 threaded fuse plugs of stand rd make designated l0 and ll, having the internal bores l2 and 13 respectively and register their edges or flanges 22 and 23 in contacting relationto close both fuse plugs. lt Willbe understood that these''use plugs Will be made from porcelain or any other nonconducting material, and Will be formed with dianiletrically opposite notch-es 26a and 27a, thecorrespondin-g notches 26 and 27:L of each plug registering so that l am enabled to insert snugly, iirmly and with a snug lit a fibre bloclr the ends 26" and 27 of which will simul` taneously'project into the sets of recesses 262L and 27aot`both plugs. This unites both fuse plug sections together permanently and form means concealed within thesey plugs so that only the seam Where they join is' visible outsid-e the device'. y

las is highly practicable and desirable to provide an. insulated partition With a small vent heile in. its center to divide the single fuse plug thus obtained into tvvo separate but in- 'tercoinmunicating chambers, this'f is accoin' plirslied' Vby formingpreferably integrally upon. theblo'clrhaving the ends 26-27 a nonconducting plug having ends25 and 24 which extends 'beyond and in opposite directions l from the center of this binding member or block 26-27. The unitarybinding member and combined partition is shown in Figure 6 Where it Will be seen that a hole 28 is formed clear thru and axially of the completed par tition or plug serving as a vent hole. Each fuse plug section ol the completed multiple fuse unit has its oivn vent hole 20 and 2l respectively located on either side of the partition; these chamber vents allovv the escape of the intensive heated gases that are emitted when a fuse is blown, especially Where a high amperage is used in the circuit line. The hole 28 in the partition plug provides an emergency exit and avenue of escape for the gases of either chamber into the other, thus allowing and permitting a larger circulation of air and an increased explosion chamber; It Will also be noticed that my combined plug imiter and partition also serves to reinforce the center of lthe unitary multiple fuse plug Awhich my invention provides and at its center it needs reinforcement sometimes when a bad fuse calling for replacement sticks in the fuse boX it may be necessary to apply a Wrench to i'irnily unseat it and the Wrench Would best engage the center of the multiple plug.

The usual fusible elements 16 or l? employed to'provice tivo fuse points atv opposite ends'of my plug, and they con i of the Wires shown in Figure 2 designed to melt when the load impressed upon the circuit is too strong. l permanently close the opposite ends of my plug conducting material, so as to avoid removing these fuse ends, as inexperiencedV persons could easily damage the plug by not eroperly'connecting the fuseA ends to the ter-Y tubular contacts or contact points 1.8 or 19' respectively to which the fuse Wir-es are soldered or otherwise electrically connected, the other ends or' these inseV Wires being soldered or connected tothe threaded Contact collars that are permanently and ii'removably connected externally to each of the opposing ends of this plug. Openings (not designated) alloivV the these Contactv collars in the usual manner. These Contact collars l5 are spaced apart from each other so as not to electrically connect With each other.

ln this form or" construction thek plu pressed into the-open ends of the two plugs, While the dialnet ally opposite'ly cittending ears 2G and 27 e consecutively pressed with some force fir o the recesses 26a and 27a of one plug section and then into y by means of a non-rv tuse Wires to connect with and operatively The plug is preferably formed of uniform diameter thruout its length having` a of suitably located vent holes disposed preferably centrally thereof. l chamfereach of the opposite ones of this tube as shown in the richt hand end of Figure to provide a counterseat 37 for receiving with a press lita preferably libre or other non-conduct ig dish or plug which is limited in movemen by the annular shoulder 86 formed in a plane with the counterscat lt is of great significance that these plugs are counter sunlr 'so as to be completely' concealed and disposed wholly within the plug because they are not made to be removed and will not come out accidentally. The screw collar contacts are provided and engage eviter-nail; at opposite ends of the pluo and have connected thereto in a manner already explained the fuse wires 32 which are also electrically connected to the outer contact points S8 secured into the fibre plugs or disks It will be seen that the readily bendable fuse wires 32 as shown in Figure may be shaped and bent to be inserted thru theholes 3l in this type of plug` to join the collar contacts S3, after which the plug is forcibly driven home into counterseat- In Figure l0, the structure illustrated is substantially the same as in Figure 8 exceptthat there is added to the structure of Figure S a partition such shown generally in the preceding figures. The partition is designated 3J and has a vent hole ln practice this partition is made integral with the tubular body I have provided a simple two ruse point plug, that is positive in operation, that can only be blown twice even where there are crossed wires, which cost less to produce than vtwo separate fuse plugs; which provides two reversible emergency plugs as a single unit; whicn inalres one fuse act res rve fuse while the other is working; wl

From the foregoing it will te seen that a voi ds continuous blowing of fuses and damaging of meters or circuit lines; and which is practicable. l do not however limit myself to the exact details disclosed herein 1vnt claim all variations falling within the scope of the appended claims.

l 'have hereinbefore referred to the device as shown in Figures 8 and l0 as tubular for the reason that in both of these figures, the insulating body of the device is of hollow cylindrical form. in Figure 8, the hollow cylindrical forni provides a straight through passa-ge extending from'one of the plugs to the other, but in Figure l0 a partition is introduced intermediate the ends of the plug. The term hollow cylinder as used in the appended claims obviously describes the tubular or hollow cylindrical structures of both of these figures whether the partition is present or not.

l/Vhat l desire 'io claim and secure by Letters Patent is zl. fr device of the character described einbodyino a continuous, non-conducting hollow cylindrical bot y having a circular interior and provided intermediate its ends with vent openings extending through its wall, countersunk seats at ythe opposite ends of said body, an insulating stopper seated in each countersunk end of the body with the outer face of each stopper flush with the corresponding end of the body and permanently secured to the body against removal, an annnlarthreaded metallic sleeve embracing the body adjacent each end thereof and free from engagement with the stoppers, said sleeves being permanently secured to the body against removal, a contact terminal at the center of each stopper, and fusible material connecting each contact terminal with the corresponding threaded sleeve.

2. A device of the character described embodying a hollow insulating cylindrical member having a circular interior, threaded sleeves externally permanently mounted at the opposite ends thereof, fusible electric elements connected with said sleeves and located internally of said member, closures independent of said sleeves, for closing the member permanently at its opposite ends independently of the sleeves, and electrical contacts mounted on said closures and secured to said fusible elements, said fusible elements being non-accessible in the finished device.

3. A device of the character described comprising a hollow cylindrical body of insulating material having a circular interior and provided intermediate its ends with a cro-ss arial partition permanent with respect to the tubular body, said body having bent holes therein through which gases may unobstructedly escape directly into the outer atmosphere and the body being provided at its opposite ends with countersunk seats, a stopper associated with each countersunk seat, a contact terminal in the center of each stopper, a metal sleeve encircling the body adjacent each end and free from engagement with the adjacent stopper, and fusible material con-v necting each contact terminal with the corresponding sleeve.

ll. A device of the character described embodying a hollow cylindrical body of nonconducting material provided with a circular interior, a pair of non-conducting interfitting end pieces permanently closing the op posite ends of the body and immovably held to the body, threaded metallic shells embracing and permanently secured to the opposite ends of the body and free from contact with the end pieces, acontact terminal at the center of each end piece, and fusible material connecting each contact terminal with the corresponding shell.

.Av devise 0f- ',hs @heredar described@- llO bodying a hollow cylindrical body of nonconducting material provided with al circular interior, a pair of non-conducting interfitting end pieces permanently closing the opposite 5' ends of the body and immovably held to the body, threaded metallic shells embracing and permanently secured to the opposite ends of the body and free from contact with the end pieces, a contact terminal at the center 10i of each end piece, fusible material connecting each contact terminal with the corresponding shell, and across axial partition extending across the interior of the tubular body intermediate the ends thereof.

6. A'device ofthe character described comprising a single length of non-conductive hollow cylindrical tubing made with open ends and provided in its wall with vent holes and saidtubing having a circular interior, an annular metallic threaded sleeve embracing each'end portion of the tube and permanently secured thereon, a closure permanently closing each of said open ends and permanently secured independently of t-he sleeves to the tubing against removal therefrom, an

electrical contact terminal at the center of each closure and a length of fusible material connecting each contact terminal with the corresponding metal sleeve.

7. A reversible double end fuse comprising a single length of non-conducting hollow c 7lindrical tubin with o en ends havin a circular interior and provided in its exterior wall with vent holes through which exploded gases can unobstructedly escape laterally in all directions directly to the outer atmosphere, an annular metallic threaded sleeve embracing each end portion of the tubing and permanently secured thereon, a pair of insulating end caps having a centrally located perforation therein permanently securedV at each opposite end of the hollow cylindrical tubing against rotation or displacement in any direction, centrally located metallic contacts in each end cap for securing fusible members thereto, a fusible member attached to the center metallic contact member of each cap and'passing through the interior of the hollow cylindrical tubing and through the wall of said tubing to the metal sleeve,

whereby .the fusible members are locked in an inaccessible ,position in the interior of the hollow cylindrical body to ypreclude substitution within the fuse of undesirable metals or articlesin lieu of burnt out fusibley members.

8. A device of the character described embodying a hollow cylindrical body of nonconducting material provided with a circularV interior, a pair of non-conducting end pieces permanently closing the opposite ends of the circular body and immovably held to the body against rotation or separation displacement, threaded metallic shells embracing and permanently secured to the opposite ends of the body, a single contact terminal at the center of each end piece, fusible material connecting each single contact terminal through the body of non-conducting material with the corresponding shell, and a cross axial partition extending across the interior of the tubular body intermediate the ends thereof, said hollow cylindrical body being provided with vent openings in its side wall for the unobstructed escape of internal gases.

9. A device of the character described comprising a single length of non-conductingk hollow cylindrical tubing Vhaving a circular"A interior, an annular metal threaded sleeve embracing each end portion of the cylindrical tubing and permanently secured thereon, a closure of insulating material permanently secured to each end of the tubing against displacement in any direction, centrally located contacts in each closure, and an electric fuse element connected to each contact and the corresponding metal sleeve through the` interior of the tubing, whereby said electrical fuse elements are located in'inaccessible positions within the interior of the cylindrical tubing, said non-conducting hollow cylindri-` cal tubinr having in the circumferential walls thereof unobstructed perforations forming vent holes through which gases generated in the plug may be vented laterally in all directions.

l0. A device of the character described embodying a hollow cylindrical body of nonconducting material provided with a circular interior, a pair of non-conducting end pieces permanently closing the opposite ends of the circular body and immovably held to the body against rotation or separation displacef ment, threaded metallic shells embracing and permanently secured to the opposite ends of the body, a single contact terminal'at the center of each end piece, fusible material connecting each l single contact terminal through the body of non-conducting'material with the corresponding shell, and a cross axial partition extending across the interior of the tubular body intermediate the ends thereof, said hollow cylindrical body being c provided with vent openings in its side wall for the unobstructed escape of internal gases, and said cross aXial partition being also provided with a vent opening through which gases may pass from the interior of one end of the cylindrical body to the other end and vice versa. Y

In witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand this twenty seventh day of yMarch, 1926.

WILLIAM J. LUSE. 

